Okay gang, lets have a little discussion.
I was listening to one of my podcasts the other day, and they were doing this "What is the most influential peace of work from creator {X}" round table and I thought it would be kind of cool to bring that conversation here, to the Realm.
What the guys on the podcast did was they made a list of their top 15 creators, for the goal of determining what would be that creators most influential work. For example and point of note, they ended up not even putting Allen Moore's name on the list as they all agreed ahead of time that "Watchmen" was Alan Moore's "most influential" title (not sure I agree, but okay, it's all opinions, yeah? ;))
Now, when I was playing along, whenever they would announce the next creator and I made my pick, I began to wonder if I was concentrating on my "favorite" work from a creator instead and not what I thought was their most "influential" work. So, to make it easier for me, what I would like to do here is kind of combine those two descriptives into a unifying one. Go a little more personal, just go with a question more along the lines of -
"What title from creator {X} impacted you the most?"
That way, your choice could either be your favorite work by that creator or work from that creator that made a difference in some other way for you... or both! Maybe its your favorite AND it hit you mentally, visually, emotionally... whatever.
8)
And also, as the Alan Moore pick already mentioned implies (and some future names will infer), your answer doesn't have to be a creator owned title, it can be a run from any company, any time... any title upon which they did work. I.E you may think (using the name once more) that Alan Moore's work on Supreme would be your pick, or his work on Swamp Thing for DC would be your pick, or, yes, you may choose his creator owned Providence, a property he owns... it's up to you, baby!!
Sooo... as the podcast discussed the list of creators alphabetically, I figured we would just do the same. I will list them one at a time, as it was told to us podcast listeners, hahaha, we can discuss and then move to the next. Yeah?
Okay, we are starting with a good one (They're all good in some way, honestly), but yeah...
What ED BRUBAKER title was most impactful for you?
:)
Me likey!
Ed Brubaker is a tough one to start with because there are so many! For me there are two that stick out the most and it's hard to pick between the two. If I'm going for MOST impactful then I'll argue that Brubaker's Captain America "Winter Soldier" run is the most impactful. Before this run there was a LONG standing phrase in comics when a character perished...
"There's dead and then there's Bucky dead."
For decades when a character was just "dead" you always knew it probably wouldn't stick. But if someone was "Bucky Dead" then you knew they were permanently gone and would never come back.
Then Brubaker took that hard rule and blew it all up by indeed bringing Bucky back from the dead as the brainwashed soviet villain The Winter Soldier. Mind blown. And not only was it a giant shift in the Marvel universe - the character was pretty dang awesome (and still is). And to further prove the point, Brubaker kills off Steve Rogers and Bucky becomes the new Captain America. Brilliant.
The impact of the Winter Soldier didn't just stop here either. This story arc ultimately became the plot and focal point of the new Marvel Cinematic Universe's Captain America 2 movie. In my opinion, the best movie of all the MCU movies.
So yep. I gotta go with The Winter Soldier arc of Captain America as Ed Brubaker's most impactful.
I'd have to fully agree.
I don't know of anything greater than that he has done. Oh, great successes in writing; sure! But his Captain America, Winter Soldier, and whole run is a magnum opus on the character.
Waiting to see if Rodney is going to join in before I throw mine in and continue
:)
Well, I guess the ole Rodster is going to just leave us hanging :P but maybe he will pop in at some point ;)
As for Brubaker, I am also going with his Captain America run.
The podcasters I was listening to chose Reckless as his most "influential", not Criminal (which I thought would have been the choice) but I can't agree with them. I think his Cap, as Jeff did a good job of conveying, is not only his most influential in comicdom, but is my pick for being the most impactful personally
So a unanimous pick from the Realm!
- Ed Brubaker - Captain America
Next up, John Byrne!!
What is John Byrne's most impactful work to you personally?
What'cha got?
:)
And as I have a minute, I will go ahead and jump in here with this one. And hey, while last time we all agreed... with this one, there is a possibility... there is a chance, that we could end up giving different answers. ;D But hey, maybe not.
I'm am sticking with form and of course picking the work John did on Fantastic Four. His run was almost just as important to my comic fandom, and I dare say even more impactful (to my youthful mind at the time I was reading), as Kirby's run. He did so much right with the team... it was my favorite book for some time. He got Ben, He got Johnny and he (mostly) got Reed, but he damn sure got Sue. He gave her so much. Made her such a powerful character, powerful socially I mean, and I will always appreciate his work with her because, at the time, she was rarely given much of a voice. Not a strong one anyway, but Byrne gave her a lot of that. True, not as much as she would be afforded today perhaps, but he did her fair for the time.
And damn... he made her much more powerful in the more traditional superhero sense as well. Way more powers and ability than she ever was prior to Byrne's stories.
I love purchasing Bryne's 'Visionary' trade collection of his FF. The places he went to with the family dynamic, the powers, the places, the subjects ( I mean, going to Doc Ock to try and help with Sue's pregnancy; and losing the baby anyways?!!) such moments. Amazing run, amazing pick.
I will pick, however, (not Jeff's pick), as we are going personal feeling as well as deserved, so I have to pick
SUPERMAN POST CRISIS.
Superman obviously had a problem; stronger than any one thing in all of the DC universe. Can push planets, travel through time with ease, and to young fans like Perry, that seemed boring.
So, the Crisis, fixing the awful history snafus of DC, and rewriting Superman.
REWROTE SUPERMAN.
His origins, his powers, explanations of how people wouldn't recognize Clark and Superman, and fans got to experience how Superman established himself on earth after his first appearance.
Everything ancient and old became new, rewritten, explored, understood.
Lex was amazingly retooled. Clark's parents were kept alive as a lynchpin to Superman's humanity, and Lois was certainly no longer a fainting damsel in distress, but a hard nosed woman not afraid of trouble.
Within the first 2 years, Bryne took Superman to such places that he would condemn Kryptonians in a different dimension to death by Kryptonite as the only way to stop them.
So, just wow. Bryne was given the reins to make a landmark, cornerstone establishment of the 1st and greatest comic icon ever-and landed it.
No surprise that we all three are going different directions on John Byrne.
I would argue for his Uncanny X-Men run as most influential. I don't think there would even be a massive X-Men movement if not for Byrnes Phoenix saga, Days of Future Past, Hellfire club. I know Claremont wrote the dialog but I really believe, much like Giffen on Legion, that Byrne was the driving creative force back then.
But there is no argument that he had a big influence on almost everything he touched. Both Fantastic Four and Superman were redefined under his work, not to mention his great work on West Coast Avengers and Scarlet Witch's new "children". Really impactful storylines.
Okay, this next creator should also give us some varying opinions. Hell, I don't know which way I'm going yet...
next creator up is Peter David
******************************************************
- Ed Brubaker - Captain America, Captain America, Captain America
- John Byrne - Fantastic Four, Superman (title relaunch), X-men
So much to think on and consider!!!! My mind is blown!
I have 2 off the top of my head RIGHT AWAY
By the way, Peter David is NOT doing well.
His Kickstarter page, or his gofundme, or whatever it's called to raise money for hospital bills talks about how Medicaid has run out for him. NO more money coming his way. He's had 2 strokes and a cardiac event.
This blows my mind. He's written how many actual novels, written comics for 4 decades, and even still at the end of life, he has nothing left.
I know I considered him to be a 'success' -but was he successful in a field that couldn't support him well?
Then again, MEDICINE SUCKS THAT BAD IN THE US.
It was hard to read.
Yeah, I still follow him and it is hard seeing him suffer each time more and more. Absolutely insane that he has to rely on the kindness of fans, after all the work he did for those two very small, start-up corporations
:-X
That's horrible. How does one's Medicaid just run out? If you qualified for it, they should cover right up to the end. I feel for him and his family.
For me personally it would be his X-Factor run. He really took a bunch of B & C level characters and made them A-listers. But I know that wouldn't be considered his most impactful. Especially since no one else could maintain it and the characters personalities went back to B & C level sadly.
He's probably most well known for his Incredible Hulk run so I'd have to pick that. That was some good stuff.
Sorry I am late to the party. LOL. Great topic and interesting to read.
I definitely agree with John Byrne, but it wasn't his FF that did it for me. He was AMAZING on Alpha Flight!
Not a fan of Alan Moore, sorry.
Let's discuss the man, the myth, the legend... George Perez. Hands down, he is my favorite.
So John Byrne gets four different responses. Ha, awesome.
And Jeff, this is all about the close personal feeling, my man, so I am assuming, given that, you are picking X-Factor and not Incredible?
;)
Peter David....
Incredible Hulk was a nothing book that no one wanted at the time. John Bryne was on the title before him, like a fart in the wind, for about half a year. It's overall sales were in the tank for years, and it was almost a death knell to have the title.
So, PAD took the book. And didn't leave for 13 years until he utterly disagreed with the new management to basically erase all his progress for dumb hulk smash. Saddest issue I read, his last.
Everything he did on Hulk has now been aped and used by every writer since. Great run.
But...
Not my favorite.
It's his Captain Marvel.
Genis Vell became such a strong favorite of mine. George Berryman here was so vocal about buying and reading this book, I picked it up at #21 and 22.
Loved it. Immediately went back to get all the back issues, Avengers Forever tpb by PAD that showed Genis as the first cameo as Captain Marvel, not Legacy (which I picked up that mini series, and I think I still need a couple of Silver Surfer issues where he appeared first!!)
But, to David's writing -the legacy of the character was so paramount to the book, the themes of trying to fulfill a father's place, not understanding what that means, the humor, good lord, this book was HILARIOUS. I am on the exact same frequency as PAD as far as subtle and comical roll. The use of history, of the 'brush with death' gag that came from the Incredible Hulk title with Marlo -and yes, the same roll of Rick Jones as perennial side kick, but being the 'stronger' of the two.
I loved ChrisCross art.
I loved the new numbering challenge that resulted to get new readers in. I loved Genis going crazy. I loved exploring 'cosmic awareness' as having god knowledge in a human frame. I loved the wonderful, horrible last arc of Genis exploring what it truly means to 'kill Hitler in his crib.'
Everything about this book vibed with me. 100%. Getting Jim Starlin to draw Captain Marvel, and another Captain Marvel again, along with Thanos and Surfer again was a treat for this cosmic fan.
Through a lot of shitty bumps, Genis is back again. Unfortunately, that bonding to Rick was immediately forgotten in the latest Carol Danvers Captain Marvel title, but at least Genis is around, just waiting for the next opportunity.
It's been 2-3 years. Time for a reread of this again!!!
Good stuff, guys!!
I honestly want to write down my most impactful thing Peter David has ever done, but for me that would be his Star Trek: New Frontier series of novels that were so damn good back in the day. Infact, I loved it so much that after I had read one of the last books from that series (and not seeing another, new offering), I asked him if more books were on the horizon and he told me, sadly, I would have to ask [whomever the publisher was at the time] as they had not requested anymore.
That sucked for me, but that series wouldn't qualify for this poll anyway as we are keeping this to comics
:)
Comic wise, with all the great PAD comic runs out there, including but not limited to: Hulk, Supergirl, Captain Marvel, Aquaman, and even some smaller title runs that I enjoyed like Fallen Angel and Spy Boy, I am, somewhat surprisingly I think, also going to go with David's X-Factor.
Jimmy was dead on, David's Hulk was amazing, top notch stuff, stuff that I eventually want to go back and read all of (as I know I missed a lot), but I can't think of a comic that I looked forward to more, when I was in the mood for a "giggle", than David's X-Factor. It always made me smile and it featured, like Jeff mentioned, a bunch of nobodys, relatively speaking, and made me love them like stars!! It had his "Sir Apropos of Nothing" style to it that always made my week... back when it was in my DCBS box (oh, the good ole days!!) and in need of a smile.
Shame to think the creator of such grand stories is now hurting.
:'(
But... we are not here for that, so... unless Rodney jumps back in with something, I have it as thus -
***************************************************
- Ed Brubaker - Captain America, Captain America, Captain America
- John Byrne - Alpha Flight, Fantastic Four, Superman (title relaunch), X-men
- Peter David - Captain Marvel, X-Factor, X-Factor
Next creator up for discussion - Warren Ellis
:)
I think it's my time to go first, even though we haven't discussed any order... or that we have to maintain one... but hell, I'm here
;D
This is probably the easiest one for me, compared to all the others. I am a huge fan of the Pulp era. You guys know I love me some Conan, but I also enjoy stuff like The Shadow, The Spider, Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers and even Tarzan, but above them all (except for Conan... and maybe even him) there has always been my love for Doc Savage. Well Warren Ellis also has a love for the Pulp era and he proved it with his incredible series Planetary.
I can appreciate all of what Warren Ellis has put to paper, he is one of my top three comic writers, I have enjoyed many an issue from him, but nothing hits me like Planetary hits me. It was almost made for me. Yes, his (introspective ;) ) Transmet was amazing, and I loved it, but Planetary IS me. I love it!!!
I can't not pick Planetary.
For a series we never thought would end, there was almost 4 years between issues at one point? But then the last 7 came out like nothing flat, and we got it all.
What a wonderful, loving touch to all things pulp and early sci fi imagination as that series did. The last page, and last panels, was so uplifting, wonderful, and joyous.
BUT
I should also mention NextWave.
How could I not? IT WAS AMAZING START TO FINISH!!!
Quote from: Perry on Mar 26, 2025, 12:33 AMSo John Byrne gets four different responses. Ha, awesome.
And Jeff, this is all about the close personal feeling, my man, so I am assuming, given that, you are picking X-Factor and not Incredible?
;)
Oh yeah. If it's close personal feeling then definitely X-Factor. One of my all time favorite books.
Warren Ellis.
My favorite comic series by him sadly is the one he never finished, Fell. If he had been able to complete it then it would probably get my vote.
But there are two that impacted me more since he did't get to finish it. Those would be Transmetropolitan and the Authority. It's hard to pick between them because they wowed me for different reasons.
I'm going to have ultimately say the Authority impacted me more. His Stormwatch issues that led up to the birth of the Authority were some of the first non-big two comics I read and got hooked on. I found the Authority so different and ground breaking that I couldn't stay away. Incidentally, it was former Hero Realmer Jon Tait who loaned me his copy of the Stormwatch trade collecting Ellis' work that got me interested. Yep. Authority blew me away and I have the two Absolute Authority Omnibus' sitting on my bookshelf that I need to reread!
I realize Wiki is as reliable as Fox News, but I looked up his list of work. VERY impressive!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Ellis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Ellis)
Okay, next writer on the list and back to back 'tough ones' for me (being forced to choose, ha) -
Garth Ennis
I'm primarily a DC guy. Didn't know of his work til the Demon in the 90's.
Quote from: Gay Titan on Mar 27, 2025, 09:28 PMI'm primarily a DC guy. Didn't know of his work til the Demon in the 90's.
Right on, that was still pretty early in his career and one of the few titles I have not, or don't remember, reading. I have even gone back and read a couple issues of some of his early stuff from 2000AD, the place where most all British (or in this case islands close to Britain ;) ) writers cut there teeth, but I have not tried any of his Demon.
Okay, guess I'll go first again ;D
Garth Ennis has a ton of books that I love and yes, maybe what I enjoy most is his brutal story telling style, but it isn't JUST the brutality from Ennis that I lean towards. My pick here may say otherwise, haha, on the surface, but it's not JUST about the savagery. So with that in mind, I still have to choose his Punisher Max as the one that hits for me the most. Sad that this choice comes off a less than stellar showing of Get Fury MAX, which was fine, but not anything special or worth recalling, but I damn sure still remember that Punisher MAX dentist chair issue. So damn good. An issue from the POV of a gangster's throat? Putting you in the chair and having Frank do what he did? Yep, that still sits heavy in the ole noggin' but damn, that's not the only reason I chose the title, the entire Ennis Punisher Max stuff is a true gem for me. Frank done right, Frank done at his most determined, Frank to the MAX
:)
Garth Ennis has written everything, everywhere, with an acerbic tongue, deep questioning and longing, and righteous fury and energy.
Could I put Preacher above Punisher Max?
The argument certainly could -and should- be made for that.
(The Boys is too cruel of a 'picking on an easy' mark in it's manner)
I've actually read A LOT of his Avatar press stuff. Any kind of real world war/war stories he's written (like 303) is so good.
And you should not forget Hellblazer!!! But it always felt that every UK writer on Hellblazer brought their absolute best.
So...I'm...personally going to also vote for Punisher Max.
Garth Ennis.
Honestly, I haven't really read much of his stuff except for the Boys, which I loved.
I've gotta go with that "easy" one ;) as it wowed me the most.
Like Jimmy mentioned, I had serious conversation with myself on that pick, if I was picking Preacher or Punisher... Jesse or Frank? It wasn't easy.
;D
And while it came down to those two titles above, I will say that the first titles that seem to always pop into my head my head when I think of Ennis' are The Boys and HIS Authority. Not that I like Ennis' Authority better than Ellis' Authority, both are amazing :) as are both of those titles.
;D
Okay, next writer up for your personal pick is...
Jonathan Hickman
And so far we have (And Rodney, please jump in whenever you want if any more of these writers hit for you. I don't want to leave you out, but don't want to wait for no reason either, if ya get me. But yeah, please know that you're not only more than welcome, but we welcome your picks :))...
- Ed Brubaker - Captain America, Captain America, Captain America
- John Byrne - Alpha Flight, Fantastic Four, Superman (title relaunch), X-men
- Peter David - Captain Marvel, X-Factor, X-Factor
- Warren Ellis - Authority, Planetary, Planetary
- Garth Ennis - The Boys, Punisher Max, Punisher Max
-
OH man.
Hickman.
Pax Romana
Nightly News
The Manhattan Projects
Fantastic Four
East of West
Avengers/New Avengers
Powers of/House of X
Honestly, I'm going with Fantastic Four.
His ideas were so AWESOME.
He came immediately after Mark Miller, who always comes in like a hurricane of wild ideas and big stories, and Hickman took everything that Millar did, improved, made it grander, immense, mammoth, and tremendous in scope, and for me, completely made the FF live up the aura of Marvel's First Family that made voyages into the fantastic-and met them each time, right in the face.
Then came the First Foundation, and 2 books was pretty awesome at the time!
Death of Human Torch, Annihulus, a dead Galactus that would be ship for future superheroes :D
Nope, FF does it for me.
I think X doesn't get it because of so many other cooks in the kitchen, and East of West ended fine, just fine! But not mind blowing for me.
I made sure to go back and get all of Hickman's FF in trades. I also have the 2 Avengers Omnibuses as well.
Great writer.
Great pick 8), of course, and I honestly have not decided if I am going to choose his FF or his Avengers. Both are so damn good, but I know I also have a bias towards all good things Fantastic Four, so I don't want to pick that off the cuff, even though that is the way I have been leaning. Gonna sit on it another couple hours
:D
And East of West's ending kind of pissed me off if I remember. Loved the series, but I remember feeling let down a little... no, let down a lot, with the way it ended.
Hickman
My gut immediately went to the Manhattan Projects which is one of my favorites but, like East of West, ended weaker than it started. Hickman is in my top three favorite writers.
Another all time favorite is my intro to him in Secret Warriors. Great S.H.I.E.L.D./Nick Fury book.
Fantastic Four was another stellar run by Hickman and one I really loved to read from month to month.
While not my favorite his most impactful world wise has to be Avengers since his Thanos story was basically run through the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe and the core it's success.
But for me it's between Secret Warriors and Fantastic Four. And I'll have to go with Fantastic Four. Hickmans use of science in his writing made him a perfect fit for the FF and there are elements from his time still prevalent today.
- Ed Brubaker - Captain America, Captain America, Captain America
- John Byrne - Alpha Flight, Fantastic Four, Superman (title relaunch), X-men
- Peter David - Captain Marvel, X-Factor, X-Factor
- Warren Ellis - Authority, Planetary, Planetary
- Garth Ennis - The Boys, Punisher Max, Punisher Max
- Jonathan Hickman - Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four
Couldn't not do it
:)
Next up for your consideration... an add-on. A creator that was NOT on the original podcast list (only because they each picked 5 and he didn't quite make the cut of 15), but still a creator that I feel has enough varying material out there to at least warrant a discussion, though I swear if anyone picks Stargirl I am going to turn this car around... ;) ;D
Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns
A tough one because there are so many. I thought long and hard on this one from Flashpoint to Doomsday Clock to his classic JSA run. I eventually decided the crossover story "The Lightning Saga" impacted me the most but then realized that was a collaboration with Brad Metzer so it doesn't count.
In the end there are so many of his stories that have impacted me and comics in general. I finally landed on Blackest Night and the different spectrum Corps that spun out of that Green Lantern run. It was big enough that other writers could pick up aspects of it and create great series (Red Lanterns being one of my favorites). They don't exist without John's.
Geoff Johns was a writer I viewed who could do no wrong. His Midas touch revitalized so many brands at DC; making the old and classic feel amazing and honored when seen with a new filter in modern writing. Lets not forget that his Rebirth brand of GL and Flash led to DC calling their revamp Rebirth as well!
Stargirl
JSA
Flash
Green Lantern
Hawkman
Teen Titans
Action Comics
Booster Gold
Batman Earth One
Co-writer 52
Final Crisis architect
Brightest Day Co-writer
Aquaman
Justice League of America
Shazam!
He reset the mythos on Flash, and re-laid the template of Waid, to show what was great about Wally, the history of the Flash, the Rogues -and he brought back Barry Allen!!!
He took Green Lantern -a languishing property, mired in moribund interest -and he brought back Hal Jordan!!! Under Geoff Johns, Green Lantern became the IT property alongside Batman at the time, to utterly change the face of DC comics in every event. I couldn't not wait to read each month. I then went and bought the trades for easier rereading! For the 'New 52' nothing was changed about Green Lantern transitioning to this new universe (same with Batman).
GL is the pinnacle of Geoff Johns writing.
It's my pick too.
Looks like we are set to have our third unanimous vote, as I can't pick anything other than GL.
Just amazing stuff. Stuff that is now being ran into the ground, but that is far from his fault. It is the way of things.
;D
- Ed Brubaker - Captain America, Captain America, Captain America
- John Byrne - Alpha Flight, Fantastic Four, Superman (title relaunch), X-men
- Peter David - Captain Marvel, X-Factor, X-Factor
- Warren Ellis - Authority, Planetary, Planetary
- Garth Ennis - The Boys, Punisher Max, Punisher Max
- Jonathan Hickman - Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four
- Geoff Johns - Green Lantern, Green Lantern, Green Lantern
Okay... lets now think on...
Jeff Lemire
I'll give Jeff a day or two to think on this one!
;) ;D
I'm going to say this: He is not impactful to me like any of the other names on this list.
Sure, I really enjoyed his New 52 Green Arrow, but not where I'm like 'best thing ever!'
I abstain from this one.
Ha, come on man, it's just a comic exercise.
:)
I know they are not all going to be proportionate nor favorites, but he is a popular creator that has a lot of books and you have read some of them, pick one :P ;)
You're gonna have at least one more of these
;D
But that's the thing...I don't find him an impactful creator.
Maybe I'm really missing out on his own self written stuff. Probably, as that seems to get the most praise of you and Jeff. Which is great! I just don't know it...currently...
And when it comes up Bendis, I'll say his name and spit on the ground. :D
Quote from: Jimmy T on Apr 08, 2025, 03:38 AMBut that's the thing...I don't find him an impactful creator.
Oh the pedantry
;D
We are not here to compare one creator to another creator. The only thing we are measuring anything up against is other work by the listed creator. Only comparing things that they have drawn or written to other things they have drawn or written. ;)
Think of it like this... if no other comics existed other than those made by this creator or if you have only read Lemire comics your entire life, which of those titles hit you the most. And I mean even if each and every title of his sucked ass to you, or has left you cold and as unmoving as you could possibly be, you could still have a "most" impactful, yeah? It doesn't have to be your favorite, it doesn't have to be anything other than "of all the things that THAT creator has done, what hit you the most?"
I thought this would be a fun thing to do, but I am not going to try and pull teeth here. ;D Fine, skip him 8)
EDIT - Or, on second thought...
I was originally trying to avoid using this as yet another "what's your favorite title by..." thread, as I wanted something that we could, perhaps, put a little more thought into, but hey, lets make this easier... from now on, this will be a favorite thread.
:)
Let me start again here.
What is your favorite title by
Jeff Lemire
Quote from: Perry on Apr 08, 2025, 12:06 PMQuote from: Jimmy T on Apr 08, 2025, 03:38 AMBut that's the thing...I don't find him an impactful creator.
Oh the pedantry
;D
No, don't change it.
It's supposed to be impactful, that's what was lead with.
Yes, impactful, to the individual, was the qualifier.
I don't find Lemire impactful to me. I really liked his Green Arrow, really really liked it alot! but I wouldn't use 'impactful' for it.
I'm sure if we list Priest, who I find highly impactful, I'm not sure Jeff really would feel the same way. Oh, he got into Black Panther when we pushed, and he enjoyed it a lot (but I cannot recall if Jeff finished it...:thinking:), so Jeff may not feel the same way I do about Priest.
I've read Vampirella because of Priest. But that's because I would knock over my own mother to get to a Priest comic. :D
My non-vote for Lemire is as important as an actual vote.
My thoughts.
Sorry for the delay. Shawn had back-to-back surgeries. I will get caught up and chime in tomorrow.
Quote from: Gay Titan on Apr 09, 2025, 09:25 PMSorry for the delay. Shawn had back-to-back surgeries. I will get caught up and chime in tomorrow.
Oh no ! Back to back surgeries is not great! Well wishing that recovery goes great!!
Quote from: Gay Titan on Apr 09, 2025, 09:25 PMSorry for the delay. Shawn had back-to-back surgeries. I will get caught up and chime in tomorrow.
Hoping for the best, my man!!!
Quote from: Gay Titan on Apr 09, 2025, 09:25 PMSorry for the delay. Shawn had back-to-back surgeries. I will get caught up and chime in tomorrow.
Fingers crossed for y'all.
Jeff Lemire
My current favorite writer but not for his work at DC or Marvel.
Black Hammer, Sweet Tooth, Essex County, Gideon Falls, Descender, Royal City, Primordal, The Underwater Welder, Fishflies, and even his Animal Man for DC are all great stories.
But his most impactful for me, especially as a father, was Mazebook. A poignant tale of grief and memory, following a father searching for his lost daughter in a surreal maze-like city.
Thinking of this I now understand what Perry was looking for with this thread. Not necessarily your favorite (which is probably Black Hammer)or the most popular (definitely Sweet Tooth) but the story that hit you like a ton of bricks. For me, Lemire's Mazebook is that story.
Thanks, guys! He's doing surprisingly well and probably being released tomorrow.
Cleveland Clinic is thorough and doesn't waste time.
Lemire for me is a tough one, because I enjoy so much of his stuff, but I haven't been blown over by anything like I have with other creators. That sounds like a slam, but it isn't. There is NOTHING wrong with consistency... if you're on the good side of it
;D
I think I have been moved by a lot of his stuff, at least in some manner, and there are still a couple of his runs I have to start (Ascender Descender) that would probably hit even more for me, but the run that hits the most for me, outside of his Bloodshot stuff which I have really, really enjoyed (but couldn't narrow it down to one of the runs, which I would like to do), has to be his horror stuff. And for me, a lover of Eldritch/Lovecraft/cosmic entity type stories... where madness is the only way to deal with the monsters that you face ;D has to be his Tenement stuff.
On another thread, we were just talking about Sorrentino's art and I think with this book, and the motif that it encapsulates, art and writing are blended to perfection. Tenement, the look, the maddening aspect, the mystery of it all... yeah, I think I am going there
Okay... Bill Mantlo was suppose to be next, but I think, perhaps, Jeff and I are the only peeps here old enough to really remember the Mantlo era ;D but I also fully think that the most likely outcome of any voting on Mantlo would come down to only two titles and which of the two you were more a fan; Rom or Micronauts. So we are going to skip over him (because I honestly can not answer which one I love more) and go with the next in line --
Frank Miller
- Ed Brubaker - Captain America, Captain America, Captain America
- John Byrne - Alpha Flight, Fantastic Four, Superman (title relaunch), X-men
- Peter David - Captain Marvel, X-Factor, X-Factor
- Warren Ellis - Authority, Planetary, Planetary
- Garth Ennis - The Boys, Punisher Max, Punisher Max
- Jonathan Hickman - Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four
- Geoff Johns - Green Lantern, Green Lantern, Green Lantern
- Jeff Lemire - Mazebook, Tenement, **** :P
I would have gone with Micronauts over ROM but I love both.
I am going to write so much about my pick.
Quote from: Jeff on Apr 10, 2025, 04:07 PMI would have gone with Micronauts over ROM but I love both.
Micronauts early, Rom late I feel. Or I am pretty sure that is what I remember.
:)
Micronauts went downhill a tad for me as it went, not at first, but after the first couple years but Rom got better for me after the the first year or two (until also declining towards the latter part of the run)
When it comes to Frank Miller: The Dark Knight, Batman Year One, Ronin and Sin City are all worthy titles to claim my top spot, but without question the ONLY title I can place in my Miller spot is, of course, his Daredevil. A title I didn't fully appreciate when I was first reading it, as it was coming out, when I was a ripe old age of 13, and my main problem was the art. Haha. Funny to think about that now, but yes, I didn't enjoy Franks pencils with Janson's inks at first, but as the months wore on, I truly fell in love with not only the aesthetics but the story that Miller brought forth.
Frank turned a blind Spider-Man into a blind Ninja Spider-Man with lots of Catholic guilt issues, haha, opening new avenues to Daredevil's history (similar to Batman Year One), creating a teacher in Stick... who was instantly a character I wanted to know about and I found it all fascinating. Frank also broke my heart, at the time, when he took Bullseye (another Marvel character made so much better by Miller) and used him to kill Electra. I was so pissed at the time ;D Yeah, when you can get me to care that much, you have done something.
Easily - Frank Miller's Daredevil is my (only) option
Frank Miller
I don't even have to look anything up.
Daredevil run. For all the reasons Perry gave.
Quote from: Jimmy T on Apr 11, 2025, 04:38 AMI am going to write so much about my pick.
I guess you are still typing?
;)
For me, Frank Miller rings the greatest with
The Dark Knight Returns
I was so excited to buy some Batman trades that seemed to be popular before the Michael Keaton movie of 1989. I got this trade!!
Blew my mind. Such writing, such gravitas, so many things that continue to be aped and copied (pearls falling, anyone?)
The writing; there is so much that sticks in my mind from this.
"The rain on my chest...is baptism. I am reborn"
'This would be a good death...but not good enough.."
'Something in the stale dark air, sucked in its breath...and hisses'
"Clark, I want you to remember this my hand at your throat...and know...that I beat you"
"I shouldn't get out of car...but I do...I start with the arm...when that breaks...I should stop...but I don't..."
I still have so much memorized. The journey through all of Gotham, with the news, the changes in Bruce, the slang, the punks, the Sons of Batman, Harvey's fall, Joker's rise.
His art! From starting with the most recent Batman suit, and then just going backward through the years, Franks progression to Daredevil to here is on such amazing display of what he wanted to be. Batman's first jump into the sky, lightning crackling around him! Batman in sepia, leaving his tank to take on the mutant leader, atop the horse and charging in the darkness.
The stark blacks, the bat from the shadows coming in, the use of colors amongst all the pale.
I love it to death. Such an INDUSTRY changer.
The Dark Knight Returns
- Ed Brubaker - Captain America, Captain America, Captain America
- John Byrne - Alpha Flight, Fantastic Four, Superman (title relaunch), X-men
- Peter David - Captain Marvel, X-Factor, X-Factor
- Warren Ellis - Authority, Planetary, Planetary
- Garth Ennis - The Boys, Punisher Max, Punisher Max
- Jonathan Hickman - Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four
- Geoff Johns - Green Lantern, Green Lantern, Green Lantern
- Jeff Lemire - Mazebook, Tenement, ****
- Frank Miller - Daredevil, Daredevil, Dark Knight Returns
Next one up, oh why not, let's go with...
Alan Moore
Guess I'll go...
For me, there isn't an Alan Moore title or work that I feel fully pulled towards, not really. I mean I like his stuff, that I have read, just fine, but I don't remember being wowed by anything. Even the much lauded Watchmen failed to shine for me, and though that borders on blasphemy, it is the truth. So, I am just going to choose one of the titles that I think I remember most fondly, and leave it at that.
My Moore pick...
Top Ten
Top Ten is great. Got that in trades, myself!
I will go with, the 2 issues of
"Whatever happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
The final two issues of Superman's history from the Silver Age, before COIE rewrote everything, Moore honors everything in that 40 year history, telling a classic tale that was repeated so often (what if someone found out his identity? what if it was Lex Luthor? What if his friends were in danger?), however Moore makes it a story of merit, danger, and extreme consequence. It's a story told by Lois Lane 10 years after the events she recounts.
It's spirited, its tongue in cheek, it's goofy, but it's honored with a depth of love of a character who has meant so much to generations of families of people. And of course, the end is so wonderfully Silver Aged, so much a loving letter to everything that came before; such a knowing wink, I still get the warmest of fuzzies for it!
Not only that, but it's Curt Swan's, honestly, last official work on Superman. Oh sure, he comes back here and there over the next decades; how could he not? But this is also his good bye to the character the past-with inks by George Perez on part 1, and I think one of his long time inkers on part 2. Visually it's magnifique!
Somehow, this was not a big deal in the back issue bins for years! I got both parts of it really easy! A dollar each!
Frank Miller
For me its Watchmen with League of Extraordinary Gentlemen a close second.
Quote from: Jeff on Apr 22, 2025, 08:16 PMFrank Miller
For me its Watchmen with League of Extraordinary Gentlemen a close second.
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
- Ed Brubaker - Captain America, Captain America, Captain America
- John Byrne - Alpha Flight, Fantastic Four, Superman (title relaunch), X-men
- Peter David - Captain Marvel, X-Factor, X-Factor
- Warren Ellis - Authority, Planetary, Planetary
- Garth Ennis - The Boys, Punisher Max, Punisher Max
- Jonathan Hickman - Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four
- Geoff Johns - Green Lantern, Green Lantern, Green Lantern
- Jeff Lemire - Mazebook, Tenement, ****
- Frank Miller - Daredevil, Daredevil, Dark Knight Returns
- Alan Moore - Top 10, Watchmen, Whatever Happened...
Will the next one pose more of a challenge? For me? Yes? For you guys, no so sure. Next one up is...
Frank Miller
;D
Grant Morrison
Quote from: Perry on Apr 22, 2025, 08:27 PMQuote from: Jeff on Apr 22, 2025, 08:16 PMFrank Miller
For me its Watchmen with League of Extraordinary Gentlemen a close second.
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
DANGIT!!!!! I mean Alan Moore! ;D ;D ;D
GRANT MORRISON!!!
What to DO
Animal Man
Doom Patrol
Batman & Damian's introduction!
(let alone Arkham Aslyum!)
Seven Soldiers of Victory
Final Crisis
JLA
Superman New 52
All-Star Superman
Multiversity
WE3!!!!
Joe the Barbarian
New X-men
What to pick, what to pick.....
I know what I am picking
Not even close
:)
I choose....
His Batman Run
Morrison's run really invigorated the Batman line again. I feel that all Batman since has dealt with his writing, as well as continue to use it for an influence.
You have Damian Wayne.
You have Zur En Ah
You have the 'death' of Bruce Wayne from Final Crisis to his Return of Batman story as he's lost through time (the 5 gates & families of Gotham)
Batman Incorporated
Batman & Robin
Such great artists all along the way too!
He's etched his name on the mountainside of greatest Batman writers.
Morrison is an odd writer for me, I either love his stuff or find it very off putting. I love his "crazy, out of the box thinking" style, most times, but there are times when he just 'Out Morrisons' himself, because he was either really tore up on drugs or so deep in his head that it spoils the story (IE any Crisis book he has touched... or his Invisibles). That said, he is still responsible for creating (co-creating) one of my favorite stories of all time. My pick, forever, is...
All-Star Superman
When you can get me to thoroughly fall in love with a Superman story, hell, Superman as a character, you've done something. Now this is (honestly) more of a group effort pick because I have to question if I would have chosen this if Frank Quietly was NOT the artist on the book? Probably not... well... maybe not, but he was and the story was great, so easily my pick
I was afraid I would be too much of a homer if I picked All-Star!
But totally worthy of the pick!
And Final Crisis, and the 3 part Superman tie-in, were amazing! :D
Quote from: Jimmy T on Apr 24, 2025, 12:19 PMAnd Final Crisis, and the 3 part Superman tie-in, were amazing! :D
Yeah... that is going to be yet another, in a long line of things, that we disagree on
;D 8)
Final Crisis is a crapfest
Grant Morrison
For me it's gotta be Doom Patrol. He redefined the team and brought us Crazy Jane. I love Crazy Jane.
Quote from: Perry on Apr 24, 2025, 05:58 PMQuote from: Jimmy T on Apr 24, 2025, 12:19 PMAnd Final Crisis, and the 3 part Superman tie-in, were amazing! :D
Yeah... that is going to be yet another, in a long line of things, that we disagree on
;D 8)
Final Crisis is a crapfest
boooo
a crapfest?
Bah
and
Feh
Next item up for bid... I mean next creator up for voting (and one that I will stress over days after making my choice, because I want to pick them all)...
George Perez
******************************************************
- Ed Brubaker - Captain America, Captain America, Captain America
- John Byrne - Alpha Flight, Fantastic Four, Superman (title relaunch), X-men
- Peter David - Captain Marvel, X-Factor, X-Factor
- Warren Ellis - Authority, Planetary, Planetary
- Garth Ennis - The Boys, Punisher Max, Punisher Max
- Jonathan Hickman - Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four
- Geoff Johns - Green Lantern, Green Lantern, Green Lantern
- Jeff Lemire - Mazebook, Tenement, ****
- Frank Miller - Daredevil, Daredevil, Dark Knight Returns
- Alan Moore - Top 10, Watchmen, Whatever Happened...
- Grant Morrison - All-Star Superman, Batman, Doom Patrol
This is almost impossible! He's such a landmark figure, an artist on a pedestal or worship all to himself!
Like, I almost ONLY want to pick the covers of issues 6 & 7 for Crisis on Infinite Earths (Supergirl's death, Flash dead covers)
George Perez
For me it's going to be the New Teen Titans. There's only one cover that always comes to mind when I hear his name. New Teen Titans #13. It was my first realization of how much detail he puts into backgrounds and when he was solidified as my favorite artist.
(https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/marvel_dc/images/b/bd/New_Teen_Titans_Vol_1_13.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090106022544)
I think, what I want to pick, which may be his first or second pick, will be his WRITTEN & DRAWN WORK ON WONDER WOMAN
I've read interviews of how he was so excited to take on Wonder Woman after COIE; to establish all that Greek mythology, draw it as only he can; it was a big project that I read he was really proud of.
So, that's my vote.
I also humbly acknowledge and bow to New Teen Titans!!!
Not sure I remember that cover that Jeff posted ;) but I think, with him saying issue #13, it was this one...
(https://i.postimg.cc/nrsTTBcf/New-Teen-Titans-Vol-1-13.jpg)
And yes, for me, as much as I fell in love with his Avengers and Fantastic Four early on, his New Teen Titans made my month for at least two years straight.
Hitting the next creator (another on the younger side) and yep, already know what title I am choosing)...
Rick Remender
******************************************************
- Ed Brubaker - Captain America, Captain America, Captain America
- John Byrne - Alpha Flight, Fantastic Four, Superman (title relaunch), X-men
- Peter David - Captain Marvel, X-Factor, X-Factor
- Warren Ellis - Authority, Planetary, Planetary
- Garth Ennis - The Boys, Punisher Max, Punisher Max
- Jonathan Hickman - Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four
- Geoff Johns - Green Lantern, Green Lantern, Green Lantern
- Jeff Lemire - Mazebook, Tenement, ****
- Frank Miller - Daredevil, Daredevil, Dark Knight Returns
- Alan Moore - Top 10, Watchmen, Whatever Happened...
- Grant Morrison - All-Star Superman, Batman, Doom Patrol
- George Perez - New Teen Titans, New Teen Titans, Wonder Woman
UNCANNY X-FORCE!!!
Loved that run.
I think we all agree :D
May I suggest:
CHRIS CLAREMONT
Actually, and sorry for being late on this, but Mark Waid was to be the next creator, but we can go back to the "C"s and do Claremont if ya wanna
I meant to say Uncanny X-Force for Remender.